Article December 9, 1911 Issue

"HAVING THE HARPS OF GOD."

MARY P. BELLINGER.

In no one thing is the heaven-born mission of Christian Science more truly attested than in the spiritual joy which is the immediate result of each demonstration of the power of good over the apparent power of evil. This gladness which flashes into our consciousness is absolutely independent of time, place, or circumstance, and is the living witness of that "Sun of righteousness" which shines, resplendent, eternal, unchangeable, behind the clouds of discord with which mortals surround themselves. In the midst of a world of inharmony,—sojourning in a strange country of pain, suffering, and wrong,—it is a hard battle to overcome and banish the thoughts of despondency, doubt, discouragement, and dread which at times sweep over us like a tidal wave. Many of us are inclined to envy the few fortunate individuals we know who seem to have been born with the joyous, care-free disposition which treads lightly over the rough places. We are too prone to envy the people "born" with things. We forget that as God's children we all have the same heritage. Perhaps it is not so easy for others after all. We cannot tell how hard the way may be, how difficult it may be for them to overcome self and reflect the sunlight of Truth to others, and as we seek for the inspiration of this lovable quality, the source of this wellspring of happiness, we find it in the one word—gratitude.

One night, last summer, the writer awoke to find it slowly raining. It was a warm, close, dismal night, and the clouds without were not thicker than those of sadness and despondency which reigned within. Suddenly, thrilling through the rain, came the clear, happy song of a little bird awakened by the falling drops. There was no thought of fear or resentment at being disturbed, the spontaneous impulse of praise sprang from the heart of the little songster in tones so rich and sweet that the night of gloom became a night of rejoicing. In Science and Health (p. 17) we read: "Love is reflected in love." As the drops fell softly on the little head, the song continued for several moments, rebuking the discordant thought of the listener and causing her heart to go out in gratitude and love to the tiny, unconscious disciple of the truth. He did not know he was teaching a lesson long to be remembered; he had no thought of reaching others with his song, he was merely pouring out thanks to the giver of "every good gift and every perfect gift."

How many of us, when our material hopes fall around us like autumn leaves, can still sing and make melody in our hearts to the Lord,—can still say, "I know that my redeemer liveth"! When we strive to hold our minds in this attitude of thanksgiving for the good already received, we are then responsive to every pure and ennobling influence. Over those "waiting harpstrings of the mind," of which our Leader has written (Poems, p. 12), will then sweep the divine hand, and will waken such tones of gratitude and love that our joy will be reflected even to those we know not of. Every right effort on our part, however feeble, has its reward. No aspiration is too small for God to notice, for we are thus placing ourselves in accord with the divine Principle of heavenly harmony. Mrs. Eddy says, on page 13. "Unity of Good," "God is harmony's selfhood." Thus we find that the tidal waves of belief in evil do not overwhelm us. They stand still like the Red sea of old at the voice of the most High, and we pass safely through our terrors, on to the promised land.

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